No Additional COVID-19 Deaths, 68 More Cases Reported In Escambia County
February 18, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were no additional COVID-19 deaths and 68 more cases in Escambia County reported Wednesday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,958 (+68)
Non-Florida residents: 3,410
Recovered: 30,855*
Total deaths: 598
Long-term care facility deaths: 259
Current hospitalizations: 120 (-3)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,316
Percent positive reported last day: 4.4%
Percent positive reported last week: 8.9%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,553 (+53)
Cantonment: 2,978 (+6)
Century: 1,135
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 451 (+1)
McDavid: 195 (+2)
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,616 (+59)
Non-Florida residents: 211
Total deaths: 246 (+2)
Long-term care facility deaths: 75
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 756*
Number of tests reported last day: 485
Percent positive reported last day: 10.7%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,972 (+25)
Navarre: 3,361 (+17)
Gulf Breeze: 3,114 (+10)
Pace: 1,316 (+5)
Jay: 513 (+2)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,844,627
Florida residents: 1,811,078
Deaths: 29,311
Hospitalizations: 76,825*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
New 448 Area Code Coming To The 850, But A Mandatory Change To How You Dial Has Been Delayed.
February 17, 2021
A new area code is coming to Northwest Florida, but a mandatory change in how you dial has been delayed for three months.
The current 850 area code will run out of available phone numbers in early 2022, and state regulators approved the addition of the 448 area code to alleviate the number crunch. The new area code covers the same geographic area as the current 850 area code, which includes Escambia County to Tallahassee.
The new area code will mean a change in how Northwest Florida residents and businesses make calls. Since last August, callers have been able to use 7-digits or 10-digits (the area code plus the number) when calling. A mandatory switch to using 10-digits was set to begin on Saturday, February 20, but that’s now been delayed until May 22, 2021.
The delay is due to COVID-19 and companies and alarm companies in Pensacola needing more time to reprogram systems for 10-digit dialing.
The earliest date someone may receive a number with the new 448 area code will be in June.
Here are some other quick facts about the new 448 area code:
- Your current telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all local calls.
- You will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all long distance calls.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911. You can also dial three digits to reach 211 and 811, as well as 311 and 511, where available.
- Telephone customers should remember to include their area code (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number) when giving their number to friends, family, business associates, and customers.
- Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 448 area code as a valid area code, and should continue to program 10-digit telephone numbers.
Rain, Isolated Severe Storms Possible Wednesday Night Into Thursday
February 17, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 9pm. Low around 46. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Escambia County Reports Four More COVID-19 Deaths, Another 102 Cases
February 17, 2021
HERE IS YOUR OFFICIAL NORTH ESCAMBIA AREA FORECAST.
There were four additional COVID-19 deaths and 102 more cases in Escambia County reported Tuesday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,890 (+102)
Non-Florida residents: 3,403
Recovered: 30,855*
Total deaths: 598 (+4)
Long-term care facility deaths: 259 (+2)
Current hospitalizations: 120 (-3)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,283
Percent positive reported last day: 7.1%
Percent positive reported last week: 8.9%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,500 (+85)
Cantonment: 2,972 (+7)
Century: 1,135
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 450 (+2)
McDavid: 193
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,557 (+41)
Non-Florida residents: 211
Total deaths: 244 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 74
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 754*
Number of tests reported last day: 1,595
Percent positive reported last day: 3.3%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,947 (+17)
Navarre: 3,344 (+11)
Gulf Breeze: 3,104 (+4)
Pace: 1,311 (+5)
Jay: 511 (+4)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,837,285
Florida residents: 1,803,893
Deaths: 29,154
Hospitalizations: 76,525*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
From Schools To Government Offices And Trash Service, Here’s What Is Closed Or Delayed Due To Weather
February 16, 2021
Here is a list of what closed for Tuesday in the North Escambia area due to winter weather. Each is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday unless otherwise indicated.
SCHOOLS
- Escambia County (FL) Schools, including indoor and outdoor athletics.
- Santa Rosa County SchoolS, including indoor and outdoor athletics.
- Escambia County (AL) Schools, including all after school events.
- University of West Florida, including online courses. All assignments, exams, virtual and in-person courses are suspended during this time. Reopening 5 a.m. Wednesday.
- Pensacola State College until 1 p.m. Tuesday
- Pensacola Christian Academy
- Escambia Academy (AL)
- Atmore Christian School (students dressing up for the 100th day of school should do so on Wednesday)
SANITATION
Due to the closure of the Perdido Landfill, ECUA sanitation collections this week will be delayed by one day. Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday and the remaining collections for the week will follow in the same manner until all collections are completed on Saturday.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Escambia County
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - All departments, including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (All locations)
- The Escambia County Animal Shelter
- Waste Services Administrative Offices
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller – Finance Offices
- Escambia County Area Transit administrative offices
- Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will suspend all bus and UWF Trolley service from Tuesday, Feb.16 until noon due to cold weather conditions on the road. Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT) will also suspend paratransit service on Tuesday, Feb. 16, until noon.
- If weather and road conditions are deemed safe, ECAT will tentatively start bus service at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 16
- If the severe weather and road conditions are still deemed unsafe, ECAT and ECCT will continue suspended bus and trolley service for the remainder of Tuesday, Feb. 16. ECAT will notify the public as soon as possible when the decision is made to continue or cancel service for Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Town of Century
- All Town of Century offices will reopen on Wednesday.
City of Pensacola
- All City of Pensacola offices are closed until 1 p.m. Tuesday.
COVID-19 TESTING
- Ascension Sacred Heart testing locations will reopen on Wednesday.
- Community Health Northwest Florida testing locations will reopen on Wednesday, including Cantonment.
Freezing Temperatures Again Tuesday Night; Rain Returns Wednesday
February 16, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 44. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers likely. High near 57. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 34.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Part Of West Roberts Road Closed Beginning Tuesday
February 16, 2021
Part of West Roberts Road will be closed this week.
West Roberts Road between Northview Place and Fiddlers Circle is scheduled to be closed and detoured beginning Tuesday, February 16 at 7 a.m.
Traffic will be rerouted to Pine Forest Road to West Kingsfield Road and returned to West Roberts Road via Ryale Road. Additionally, Crocketts Street will be closed at the West Roberts Road intersection.
A contractor will be working onsite installing storm sewer pipe and junction boxes for a new drainage system. The detour will remain in effect for approximately three days.
Regular Food Distribution Tuesday At Carver Park In Cantonment
February 16, 2021
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a food distribution on Tuesday, February 16 at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. The event has not been canceled due to weather.
The food distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Line up on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. This is a normal Tuesday distribution, not one of the larger 10,000 pound giveaways, according to organizers.
Pictured: A previous 10,000 pound food giveaway at Carver Park in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
One COVID-19 Death, Another 45 Cases Reported In Escambia County
February 16, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DETAILS.
There was one COVID-19 deaths and 45 additional cases in Escambia County reported Monday by the Florida Department of Health.
(Note than an unusually low number of tests were reported in Escambia County on Monday.)
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,788 (+45)
Non-Florida residents: 3,396
Recovered: 30,856*
Total deaths: 594 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 257
Current hospitalizations: 123 (-2)
Number of tests reported last day: 422
Percent positive reported last day: 8.5%
Percent positive reported last week: 8.9%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,415 (+33)
Cantonment: 2,965 (+5)
Century: 1,135 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 448
McDavid: 193
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,516 (+19)
Non-Florida residents: 211
Total deaths: 243
Long-term care facility deaths: 74
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 753*
Number of tests reported last day: 262
Percent positive reported last day: 6.8%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,930 (+9)
Navarre: 3,333 (+3)
Gulf Breeze: 3,100 (+4)
Pace: 1,306 (+2)
Jay: 507 (+1)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,830,988
Florida residents: 1,797,728
Deaths: 28,9
Hospitalizations: 76,109*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
EREC Asking Customers To Conserve Electricity During Frigid Cold On Tuesday Morning
February 15, 2021
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is asking customers to conserve electricity during the frigid cold tomorrow morning.
“When you use electricity can be as important as how much electricity you consume,” EREC’s Sabrina Owens said.
Electricity use fluctuates throughout the day based on consumer demand, and EREC must be able to provide enough electricity to meet the energy demands of members during times of highest energy use, also known as “on-peak hours.” Early morning hours, when people start their day, and evening hours, when people return to their homes after work, are common times for on-peak hours.
An electric utility’s rates are set by their highest on-peak demand. Using less on-peak power means lower costs for the co-op, and ultimately, keeps rates low for members. During a hard freeze, increased use of heating systems coupled with other electricity demands can create higher usage during on-peak hours for the cooperative.
During the frigid temperature tomorrow morning, EREC said you can help keep energy demand peak lower by using less electricity during that time. Don’t do any tasks that use a significant amount of energy such as washing or drying clothes or running a dishwasher Tuesday morning. Wait until later in the day when the temperatures are higher, and heating systems are not having to work so hard. If you have electronic equipment such as televisions, computers, or printers connected to a power strip, turn it off during those peak hours.
“You may think those small tasks do not amount to much. But when we all work together to shave the peak, it will make a big difference. A difference that will translate into savings on future power bills,” Owens said.
Pictured: A power substation on Highway 99A near Oak Grove that serves the Walnut Hill area. NorthEscambia.com photo.